Online Day Skipper Theory Course

If you want the freedom to learn about the wonderful art of navigating a sailing yacht or motor cruiser, in your own time and wherever you want, the Online RYA Day Skipper Theory course is the first step of your adventure.

What Will You Learn?

How to use electronic navigation aids including an electronic chart plotter

How the sun and the moon effect the tides

Measuring speed & distance and keeping logs

How to measure tides - the direction they flow and their height

How to plot a course from A to B if the tide is pushing you one way and the wind in another direction

How to plan safe trips

Some essential safety knowledge, such as procedures for emergency situations

Some 'rules of the road' to prevent collisions with other vessels. What to do if...

How to interpret the BBC shipping forecast

What weather to expect when you see lots of high cloud and you notice the barometer falling

Lots about buoyage, sound signals, lights and various shapes displayed by other vessels

More Photos

More Photos

Learn On Your Terms

Ideal if you want to learn at your own pace, this RYA Online Day Skipper Theory Course is a comprehensive, step-by-step introduction to the basics of cruising.

It doesn't matter if you've got a lot of sailing experience (but little time at the chart table) or none whatsoever - lessons are presented in an easy-to-follow format so you won't get left behind. The course is fully compatible with PC, Mac and iPad, and you’ll be sent a comprehensive set of materials to provide a hands-on dimension to your learning. The system is designed and written in the latest web code html5, giving you faster cleaner web pages and does not adversely affect battery life. It will run on all modern devices, and all operating systems, worldwide.

First Class Sailing's recognised training provider of choice for online navigation classes is Splash Sea School, whom we have had a long association with. They more than meet our stringent quality standards. Student feedback is 100% positive on these courses and in our view they offer excellent theory preparation for our students before taking our practical courses. We find students who are well prepared with their theory then get much more benefit from their practical course experience.

What if I need help?

Modern database technology is used to manage the interface with the courses own secure message system allowing student and a designated instructor to communicate securely and quickly online without the need for emails. Your instructor can monitor your progress in real time and offer proactive advice. Just one click gets you contact with your tutor. Additionally, the instructor will be happy to arrange any phone calls or FaceTime contact, even late in the day when it may be most suitable for our students study time.

Learning online is a more flexible option for those with busy schedules - you can learn whenever you want, for as long as you want and an instructor will always be on hand to help if you need more guidance.

More Photos

"Brilliant course. The flexibility of this online course allowed me to work swiftly and efficiently, dipping in and out according to MY own schedule.. I would HIGHLY recommend this course to anyone thinking about taking this qualification."

WILL J

Why Take the Day Skipper Theory Course?

You’ll be presented with the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate upon completion of the course. The knowledge you’ll gain will put you in good stead to progress to the RYA Day Skipper Practical course, where your newly acquired knowledge will be put to great use at sea.

Completing the practical course will then qualify you to charter and skipper a small cruising yacht on short passages during daytime hours.

There’s plenty more opportunities to progress further if you want to take your sailing further. Who knows where studying the fundamentals of sailing at home will take you?

Book your Online Day Skipper Theory course today - or if you would like to find out more about this course, call First Class Sailing on 0203 006 3717.

More Photos

More Photos

What's Included?

When you have purchased a course you will be set up (during office hours) with a username and login and you can get started straight away.

A set of accompanying course materials will be couriered to you and should arrive 24/48 hours or so after we have set you up with a login.

Included in these course materials are:

2 RYA Charts

An almanac conatining tidal and port information extracts

The RYA International Regualtions of Preventing Collisons at Sea book

The Reed Skipper Hand book - a great aid memoire

A Portland Style Plotter and set of dividers

A pencil, eraser and bag!

We have had students from all over the world take this course. From London to Chad! We recently had a student successfully complete the course whilst sailing from New Zealand to California.